Hantavirus

Description of virus that causes the disease.

^ Diagram of the hantavirus ^

• enveloped
• single-stranded
• mostly negative-sense RNA
• have 3 genomic segments ( segment reassortment in species is common)
• spherical
• 90 - 100 nm (nanometers)
• spiked

Viral Specificity:

• is found in rodents, but does not affect them
• is found in (and harms) human cells
• muscle and bone cells
• certain cells in the immune system - kidney, lung, etc.
• platelets (blood cells)

Symptoms and progression of the disease:

• fever of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• chills
• body aches
• trouble breathing
• symptoms appear from 2 weeks to 45 days after contact with virus
• incubation period of 2-4 weeks in humans
• can cause kidney failure
• respiratory distress
• blood abnormalities
• can be fatal

Common Methods of Transmission:

^ How hantavirus is obtained ^

• contact with deer mice ot their droppings, unrine or saliva
• breathe in contaminated air
• contact with mucus membranes or broken skin
• being bitten by an infected mouse
• eating contaminated food
• is NOT obtained through other humans (isn't contagious)

Figure 3 Potential exposure to hantavirus prior to onset of illness in Canadian cases

^ Potential exposure of hantavirus^

• Red - Farm - 25%
• Blue - Domestic - 34.4%
• Orange - Domestic and additional risk factors - 15.6%
• Purple - Unknown - 9.4%
• Other - Wildlife Surveys, Recreational, Ranch, Military, Lumber Mill - 3.1% (each)

Treatment and Prevention (if any):

• no vaccination
• keep home and work place as free of deer mice and other rodents as possible
• when cleaning up after them, wear gloves and masks, and cover any breaks in the skin

Miscellaneous:

• half of cases result in death
• identified in early 1950's during Korean War

Resources accessed:

Tara K. Harper
TKH Virology Notes: Hantavirus
http://www.tarakharper.com/v_hanta.htm#mech
2004 (accessed October 2010)

Hantavirus Infection: Communicable Disease Control
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/Hantavirusfs.pdf
January 2006 (accessed October 2010)

Albert Health Services
Hantavirus Fact Sheet
http://www.capitalhealth.ca/nr/rdonlyres/eadfrvwshjsrijkjghmls3zghxc2hxzkjube26dzceggyyuobvmhq6iqinaacbcfnykboyjxui3jjsf5bqurd2xsf4g/hantavirusfactsheet.pdf
September 2008 (accessed October 2010)

The Health Central Network
Hantavirus Infection - Syptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/683/main.html
2010 (accessed October 19, 2010)

OSSTF/FEESO
Hantavirus
http://www.osstf.on.ca/Default.aspx?DN=7010f108-2fc1-430a-a243-22274b93ccc8
2010 (accessed October 19, 2010)

Hantaviruses - Respiratory Distress Syndrome
http://www.auuuu.org/respiratory/hantaviruses/
2007 (accessed October 19, 2010)

Public Health Agency of Canada
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrom in Canada, 1989 - 1999
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/00vol26/dr2608ea.html
April 15, 2000 (accessed October 19, 2010)